3D Printers - will it make hunting for old parts obsolete?

[RC104ever]

Hey everyone, I was reading an article in our local paper today and saw a reference to a place nearby:

http://3dphacktory.com/

They can 'print' anything you can design so it got me thinking - for the rare, not made anymore parts, you could in theory get them to copy it and print it out.

Problem is, that it isn't cheap - a designer's services are $50 / hour Cdn.

But for things that you can't get anymore (rear arm mounts for example), it would be cool to try if you had deep pockets.

Imagine for example, being able to duplicate all the parts from a World's kit and then build one from 'new' parts including the wheels?

Has anyone else thought of doing this?

[sbcnyc]

ive been looking into getting one, the prices are getting to the point anyone with desk space can have one..... im just taking a guess but as the lazer tech gets better, better base material can be used... can you say 3d aluminum printing???

with a small drill press, 3 axis table and a 3d printer... we could replicate entire kits!

[RC104ever]

I was just thinking the same thing. It would be pretty cool to have fresh kits, down to the screws and everything.

[Lowgear]

Has anyone else thought of doing this?

Maybe the people in these other two threads have.

http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=29642

http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=27248

[RC104ever]

DOH! My bad